Green Logistics

Green or sustainable logistics is concerned with reducing environmental and other negative impacts associated with the movement of supplies. Green supply chains seek to reduce negative environmental impact by redesigning sourcing/distribution systems and managing reverse logistics to eliminate inefficiencies.

Green logistics, in the context of humanitarian logistics encourages all stakeholders to consider the impact of their actions on the environment. The main objective of Green logistics is to coordinate the activities within a supply chain in such a way that beneficiary needs are met at “least cost” to the environment. It is a principle component of reverse logistics. In the past “cost” has been defined in purely monetary terms, whereas “cost” can now also be understood as the external costs of logistics associated with: climate change, air pollution, dumping waste (including packaging waste), soil degradation, noise, vibration and accidents.